Last 48 hours...

I've watched... 

 Fendi Spring/Summer 2012 

Comfort and confidence were the two things that came to mind when watching the Fendi show.  The prints were simple, the fit was relaxed yet extremely polished, and the silhouettes were minimal yet voluminous and rich in structural detailing.  I'm diggin' the color blocking and that phenomenal deep white trim at the hem.  Oh, that collective consciousness in fashion...

"Sadie Thompson" (1928) 

starring Gloria Swanson 

I love old-timey fallen women stories.  This one is fantastic.  It has soldiers, Polynesian natives, evangelical reformists, and a raunchy Gloria Swanson who gets "saved" only to get pounced on by her "savior" who then kills himself.  Don't sleep on silent films...If that sounds entertaining, watch "Diary of a Lost Girl" (1929) starring Louise Brooks.

Carven Fall/Winter 2011-2012

I adore this French label established in 1945 by the amazing and "vertically challenged" Carmen de Tommaso (Madame Carven) who entered the Parisian haute couture realm as a novice and quickly made a name for herself.  The Fall 2011 line is young and modern featuring great separates, practical designs for real women and rich textiles.

Chanel Spring/Summer 2012

The love of my life, Karl Lagerfeld, never ceases to amaze me.  He is the king of the "new sexy" where both relaxed and firm fabrics reside away from the body merely kissing the figure that lies beneath.  He beautifully juxtaposed this move toward the more modest feminine silhouette by adorning his models with faux nose and eyebrow rings.  Who does that?  Karl does.  Skewed and minimal geometric lines on traditional boucle jackets, girly epaulettes, ribbons, underwater flora inspired embellishments and so much more.  *sigh*

"People Will Talk" (1951) 

starring Cary Grant and Jeanne Crain

They pulled Cary Grant's character in this film straight out of...I have no idea where.  It is sort of ridiculous but life showed me a long time ago that anything is possible.  Picture this...a doctor has a student he finds out is pregnant and unwed, she shoots herself after receiving the news and survives, recovers, runs away, he finds her, falls in love with her, marries her and they live happily ever after.  Oh yeah, years earlier as a medical student, he receives a cadaver that he finds is still alive, the cadaver becomes his manservant/friend and they live happily ever after.  Go figure.  


Jeanne Crain's wardrobe is subtle and beautiful.  That lace shawl in the top photo is belted and I love the lapel on her masculine jacket in the bottom pic.

Why they are so expensive...

Have you ever felt the weight of an artisan sewn hem?  Have you walked in a garment that moved as if it were living?  Have you ever been enveloped in softness beyond explanation?  


I felt like I crawled into the primordial womb when I first put on a Chanel jacket.  It is my happy place.  I now understand why they are so damn expensive...

Hem weighted with cuban link chain...

Delicate quilting...

Timeless

To Be Young At Heart

Me and Nyela

Runway-side seats at Chanel Spring/Summer 2011 show

How often do you allow your imagination to run wild without limitations or expectations?

Marcia, Aaliyah and Christopher

Wedding with teddy bear groom

When was the last time you REALLY played?

One can learn a lot from kids engaged in unbridled activity.

As adults, we feel compelled to "do" something "productive" throughout our day; stealing moments from ourselves, for ourselves and fighting the guilt that ensues.
This widely accepted cycle can be stifling and limit the opportunities that result from openness, clarity and the sheer joy of being. “Being” itself has been hijacked and transformed into an elitist concept that glorifies “self” rather than sheds ego. This adds to our list of things to “do” and so we continue.

To conclude this entry with a recommendation of any kind would be counter-productive.

*glass raised*

Here's to you and your journey.